Clek Liing Review | Car Seat Review

At Magic Beans, we know how confusing shopping for an infant car seat can be. Many expecting parents aren’t sure what features they should be looking for in a car seat (other than safety, of course), and that's okay! We're here to help.

Luckily, there is an infant car seat out there that represents the gold standard of safety, AND you don’t have to compromise ease of use or sense of style. The Clek Liing infant car seat should definitely be on your radar, and here’s why!

First, let’s talk safety. The most important factor to consider when buying an infant car seat is safety, since that is the primary function of the car seat. When it comes to safety, the best thing you can do as a caregiver is make sure your car seat is installed correctly! If the car seat is installed incorrectly, it doesn’t matter how many additional safety features the car seat has because it won’t be able to function correctly.

With this in mind, Clek wanted to make sure the Liing could be installed easily and correctly every single time. That’s why they added long rigid LATCH connectors that make it as simple as extending the connectors and pushing the connectors into place to click them onto the ISOFix latches in your car (just FYI, ISOFix is the European term for what we call LATCH in the US - Clek followed European Safety Standards, so they prefer “ISOFix”).

If you are unable to use ISOFix latches to install the seat, don’t worry! They also integrated a tensioning plate so you can install the base without latches and still get a tight, effortless installation. Once the base is installed, simply adjust the recline of the seat to make sure that no matter what depth your vehicle seat is (don’t worry, there are easy-to-read markers right on the base so you always feel confident), you will always have the baby at the safe 40-45 degree angle that prevents their head from falling forward and closing their airway. Riding in an Uber or traveling? The Clek Liing has you covered with a European belt path for baseless installation and is FAA approved for use on airplanes, so you can leave the base at home. 

The Clek Liing has a metal load leg built into the base that acts as an extra support in the event of an accident. This load leg is one of the most significant additional safety features an infant car seat can have because it not only reduces the amount of force the car seat experiences by up to 40 percent, but it also reduces the rebound of the seat. You can see the effect the load leg has on the performance of the seat in this video from Clek. Rated for use from 4 to 35 pounds and up to 32 inches, the Liing has a very supportive infant insert that makes it appropriate for preemies. Its head support cushions keep your little one’s head stable and prevents it from flopping from side to side during travel. The interior of the seat is lined with high-grade energy absorbing EPP foam that is less likely than EPS foam to break in an accident or crumble over time. The Liing is also made free from chlorinated and brominated flame retardants and offers a 100% natural Merino wool fabric option that is free from any flame retardants. 

Now that we’ve covered how amazing the Liing’s safety features are, let’s move on to the comfort and convenience! Weighing in at 9 pounds it is on the lighter side of average so you won’t be especially burdened by it; however it’s likely you'll most frequently be using it in conjunction with your stroller instead of carrying it. It works with strollers that offer Maxi Cosi adapters (you can find a compatibility list here) and unlike most car seats that use Maxi Cosi adapters, the Clek Liing has a one-button removal from the adapters! This makes it significantly easier and more ergonomic to remove the car seat from the stroller. Three-across seating is possible with the Liing, which makes it a great option for experienced parents as well as new parents who are planning for a growing family.

The Clek Liing comes in 3 different fabric types: Jersey Knit, C-Zero Plus Performance, and Mammoth. Jersey knit fabrics are a super soft lightweight polyester-spandex blend that will be very gentle on sensitive skin. C-Zero Plus fabrics are GREENGUARD Gold Certified and provide resistance to odor causing bacteria and water-based stains. They also offer a moisture barrier to further improve cleanability and durability over the years. Mammoth fabrics are eco-friendly, soft, temperature regulating and totally chemical flame retardant free. The Liing has an extra-large SPF 100+ canopy with a magnetic peek-a-boo window to keep your little one comfortably ventilated and in the shade. 

Clek car seats are built to last, which is why Clek offer the longest infant car seat warranty period on the market: one year out of the box with an additional two years when you register your Liing within 90 days of purchase. That’s 3 years total of coverage under warranty compared to most manufacturers’ one year warranty! The Liing has a 9 year expiration, so it is a one-time investment if you’re planning on expanding your family. Once you are done using your Liing or it has expired, you can send it back to Clek for their unique recycling program to make sure it doesn’t end up in a landfill. From its safety features to its comfortable high performance fabrics, the Clek Liing has quickly become a staff favorite at Magic Beans. We’re sure you’ll fall in love with it too!

Have any questions? Reach out to us anytime via email at questions@mbeans.com. We’re always happy to talk shop! You can also contact our Baby Gear Gurus via phone (866-600-BEAN) during business hours (M-F, 9 am-5 pm EST), by utilizing the Product Expert Chat on our website, or by scheduling a video consultation. Finally, get all the advice you need by visiting our YouTube channel!